Shoes of Peace

Security is a big topic in our society. A lot is invested in the best home security systems, stable stocks and businesses, reliable ventures and partnerships. One of the biggest issues in security is identity theft. It can happen easily, to anyone. No one is safe from it. If a person’s identity is stolen they could lose everything. A person’s identity is directly tied to their security. So what is our spiritual security?

Ephesians 6:15 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Part of the armor of God is wearing shoes of the Gospel. This is a gospel of peace because it is the only way to have peace with God. We are literally to “put on, bind under our feet” this Gospel. We need to walk in the Gospel, not just talk it. It should be the foundation of everything we do.

Galatians 5:16 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

We all know people who claim to be Christians, who say all the right things and generally live the way they should, but their heart isn’t in it. It’s something they do not something they live. They talk by the Spirit, but they don’t walk by it. We should not be that way. Frankly, that is two-faced and hypocritical, and their true nature will come out eventually because we are what is in our hearts, and that always is revealed if we look closely enough. We need to be genuine. That is the only way we can live a truly godly life, that is the only way to not “live in the flesh”.

Proverbs 4:23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.

But really, how do we walk in the Spirit? Is that where we find our spiritual security? Our walk comes from our hearts, our true natures. That is why we need to be genuine, then we won’t have to worry about how we walk, godliness will be natural. It comes from abiding in Christ, being totally immersed in Him. If we desire Him and obey His commands, He will grow in us that genuine, godly heart from which will stem a walk by the Spirit.

So what does this all have to do with security? Notice the text says not only to put on the shoes of the “gospel of peace” but the preparation of the gospel. The Amplified Bible puts it this way:

Ephesians 6:15 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.

The preparation of the Gospel is not only being prepared “to give an answer” for why we believe, but being prepared to do battle. Walking in the gospel is not mere “belief” nor even living like Jesus, but allowing it to prepare us to fight for it. For the Gospel, while it is a message of peace to those who believe, is also a battle against the enemy.

When I was in college I took some fencing courses because I needed more credits for the term. One of the primary things stressed by my instructor was to be aware of our footing. We had to be stable and balanced so that we wouldn’t fall. We had to know what was around us so that we wouldn’t trip or get trapped. It is the same with the preparation of the Gospel.

First, we need to have firm-footed stability. That stability comes from being rooted in Christ. A tree with deep roots cannot be knocked over short of being dug up or cut down. We must know what we believe and believe it with a conviction that cannot be swayed. We need to stand strong in the Lord. To do that, we have to understand our identity in the Lord. Our identity must be based in Who Christ is and Who He says we are. If we have that conviction and assurance, nothing that the enemy sends our way will shake us. We will be strong and stable.

Second, we must be prompt. We cannot delay or be hesitant. Any time we give the enemy will be used against us. Of course, we must be wise and not hasty or rash, but we must also not be doubting or timid. We need to be sure and strong, motivated by our passion and love for Christ.

Thirdly, we must be ready. This goes beyond the readiness of preparation, but speaks of a readiness produced by the Gospel. It is a passion, an eagerness which causes us to be ready. This eagerness will motivate us to prepare for battle, and fight when it comes. But the gospel itself is our motivation. It is that great love and mercy which we could in no way deserve given to us by Christ which motivates us to fight, which makes us eager to seek Christ and knowledge of Him, which prompts us to be ready and willing.

We need to be prepared with the Gospel, but it is the gospel which prepares us. It is our security and motivation. The deeper we get into the gospel, the more secure, motivated and ready we will be. With that increasing depth will come a more natural walk by the Spirit. As we grow deeper in the gospel, our hearts will become more aligned with God and our walk more aligned with the gospel. That is where our security comes from, that deep root planted firmly in the gospel. It is the firm ground of truth upon which we stand.

Where is your identity and security? Are you ready for battle?